Breast Cancer Now Forum

Wendy, it’s so wonderful to hear from you but, and I’m sure everyone will agree, I really wish it was with better news. Is this why you couldn’t make it to the meet up?  As Cath has said your mantra is spot on, I have taken a similar approach since being diagnosed. How did you become aware of the problem, was it picked up in a routine scan? Please do let us all know your next scan results. And whatever you’re doing to defy the doctors, keep doing it! We all want to meet you, if you ever want to meet up just say so, I’m sure we’d pull strings to be there.  I’ll be keeping you in my thoughts. XX     ... View more

Hi Helen, so sorry to hear your news but please please try to hold back the worry until you’ve had your tests. Difficult/impossible I know. Please do let  us know how you get on. It doesn’t matter how long it’s been since you’ve been on here, we’re all here for each other. It’s that time of year when we’re all going to be having what should be the last of our annual mammograms.    I really hope you can make the meet up in September in Bath,  it will be great to finally put faces to the names.    I have everything crossed for you for tomorrow. Xx ... View more

Hi Gill Thank you for offering to set up our meet up. I see your email address has been removed, perhaps we could set up a Facebook group, that way it would be easy to keep in touch for any date/venue changes, plus it won’t result in a random group of women wandering around with red carnations trying to meet other women doing the same! 🥴 The dates are ok for me but I’m fairly flexible. Just one question, how did you arrive at Bristol as a destination? Sylvia xx ... View more

So glad the wedding went well Cath, must be stressful just before Christmas though. Who doesn’t love a wedding! And only one present to wrap!! Wishing all the July ladies a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year. Looking forward to meeting you next year. 🎅⛄️🎅⛄️🎅⛄️ xxx ... View more

And got not git!! ... View more

‘don’. D’oh! ... View more

Thanks Cath. I don’t want to sound like a whinge bucket but I do feel the hair loss is very noticeable but friends say my hair looks good. I guess we’re all hard on ourselves. I had my hair cut today and the hairdresser put so much product in it it’s so thick. Perhaps I need to get the hang of hair products, which I dislike. 😩 Gill, funny enough when I was walking to the hairdresser I thought about shaving it all off, how weird is that! Clare, one if the reasons I decided to try running was to increase blood flow to my head to help my hair. I thought maybe if I got more active that would make a difference. If nothing else it will help my general health so it’s a win win. I’m not ready to din wigs again, I really hated that. 🙁 Lovely warm day here, started wet, git warm and sunny now the clouds are rolling back in. Oh well. Off out to watch a bit of am dram. Xx ... View more

Baby hair, me too. 👶 I do appreciate that I made it through where others haven’t, if it was a fact that your hair recovers when you stop the medication I’d just put up with it, but I know that it might not. Some loss I can take but I don’t want to end up looking like my dad!! 👴🏻👴🏻 Xx ... View more

Hi ladies Glad to see people doing well, retiring running, drinking and eating. Just started doing couch to 5k, very early days (week 2) but I’ll stick with it. I’m not aiming for marathons, frankly if I can run for 10 minutes without needing a paramedic that will be an achievement. All is well except for my hair. 4 years of Anastrozole are taking their toll, I have an appointment with the hospital for a chat. I feel a bit vain but hair is important to me. I want to stop the meds but the BC nurse was encouraging me to stick with it for at least the whole 5 years, possibly 10. Really not keen on extending. Cath, I would find it very reassuring to be kept on by the hospital for longer than expected. Autumns here, the weather is unseasonably warm, the trees are stunning and I’m off work tomorrow. Have a lovely weekend all. Xx ... View more

Hi Karen, I’ve just read your comments about letrozole. Funny enough I’ve been looking at another forum about stopping anastrozole early. I’m due to stop next year but would love to stop sooner. I believe the two drugs have the same purpose. There has been a recent post in that thread about the percentages involved depending on how long it’s taken. I have to admit I haven’t read it yet, it’s a long post. Most women on that thread seem to want to stop taking the medication but are worried what will happen when they do. I know I’m in that camp. My biggest worry is that my body will start ramping up hormones again with the potential threat that can bring. I think it’s a great idea to email your onc. Down here they sign you off after 3 years so I don’t get to see one routinely any more, I’m sure I could get an appointment though if I asked. I hope you find the answers you’re looking for soon, if it works for you and it eases your mind it’s definitely worth pursuing. ... View more

Hi Lievre, just read your post relating to itchy scalp and skin.  I have been on Anastrozole since 2014 and do suffer a little from itchy skin.  Down below it's since my hair grew back and I think it's that that irritates, I occasionally need to use vagisil just to stop the itching. I have had times when I've suffered from very itchy hands and fingers too but this has passed.  It stopped when I started taking my annual hay fever medication and hasn't yet returned, apart from down under which is different!  I also recently bought a couple of oil products to use in the bath but these didn't help really.  My skin is so dry its a joke, I now have every sympathy for people who suffer with eczema. I think we all suffer from a variety of side effects from the pills, mine started with bad joint pain, especially the hips, but this has subsided over time. I have asked my chemist to not give me Teva brand, I get quite black moods on them. I'm not all sunshine and flowers on Accord either but the side effects are definitely less.  I hope your side effects settle down soon, it's a matter of trial and error I think.  I know that I'm looking forward to the day that I stop taking them that's for sure.   ... View more

Fantastic news Cath, so pleased for you, you must be so relieved. Have a huge glass of something tonight in celebration! I’m going to have to google the other news, if it shows an increased risk recurrence it’s not good but it is good that it’s been picked up. Keep us posted won’t you. Have a wonderful weekend. Xx ... View more

Good luck Cath, we’re all thinking of you. 😘😘 ... View more

Thank you for keeping us all updated Cath. It’s sounds rather trite to advise you to stay positive, especially after what you’ve been through already. Try and keep yourself as busy as possible, like you said you can’t change anything so worrying Wont help. I can promise you we’ll all be worrying for you! I have everything crossed for you (which made hoovering really difficult!). Please let us know how you get on next Thursday in your own time. We’re with you all the way. 😘😘 xxx ... View more

Sorry Cath, only got back yesterday and just picked up the latest thread. I’ve got everything crossed for you and hope you get the results quickly. As others have said hopefully it’s a blurred image. Big hugs. Xxx ... View more

Good luck Cath, I’m sure you’ll be fine. Lovely day here in Hampshire too, sat in the garden under the shade with the glorious scent of the jasmine. This is what summer should be like! Xx ... View more

Evening ladies   Well here I am, in good old Blighty, and the weather's amazing!!  Better than that I'm actually emjoying it too, except for a short spell yesterday afternoon on a site visit when it was way too hot. Still, mustn't grumble.   Has anyone else had their results yet.  I got two identical letters both saying OK at the moment, they must have sent one for each boob! They'll be wanting their own postcode next.    How;s the lazyitis going Cath, let me know if they find a cure, I could sure do with it.  I come home full of good intent and then do precious little. Never mind. Gill you certainly don't sound like you're suffering from laziness and neither do you Clare.  Perhaps the key is to retire, maybe then I'll get a new lease of life.  It's amazing, I only need a few days off work and my eyes look clearer and I sleep better, and I feel more energetic.  Only 10 years to go.     Well only 2 weeks now till we go to Canada and I can't wait. I am however starting to build the pre-holiday stress trying to get all the things doen that you have to sort out before you go. We went to Buxton for 3 nights this weekend and it was so nice just to get in the car and drive, no taxis, no airports, no worry about watering plants etc, it really was lovely.  Think himself is finally comong round to more travel in the UK at last.   Hoping we're all well, shout out to the girls who haven't been on for while, drop by if you get time please and let us know how you're doing.  (I sound like my mother!!) ... View more

Cath, we go to Canada for a 3 week trip on July 12th so you can book your UK holidays in those weeks. 🌞🌞🌞😩 ... View more

Well I'm back and the good weather here has predictably done a runner.  Had a really lovely week in Abu Dhabi, weather was gorgeous although a bit hot on Sunday at 38 degrees. Too much for me even in the pool. Drinks were outrageously expensive but the food in the hotel was wonderful, as was the service and the general hotel facilities. I would like to think we will definitely go back as it's a great place for some winter sun.   Clare, I think you're amazing for doing your running.  I know I've said this before but I really need to get my act together and do some exercise, there's really no excuse.   Despite the poor weather that has welcomed me home the good weather that you all enjoyed while I was gone has really brought the garden on, that was lovely to come home to. Flowers everywhere.   Have a great week everyone, Cath no leaving your writing area until you've finished the next book!!       ... View more

Cath, I think Abu Dhabi will be too hot for me to stay too long. The weather here was only about 19 degrees and it felt just right. Enjoy the good weather while you can, it will be back to rainy and cold by the time I return! 😩 Gill, what a lovely start to your husbands retirement. If my husband retires he will be locked out of the house at least 3 days a week or I’ll lose my sanity. 😬 I went to Charlestown years and years ago, 1980 I think. It was lovely. Have a great week ladies, enjoy some decent weather. Xx ... View more